I finally opened the shop I'd wanted for a decade: A photography studio and pet boutique two minutes from my front door, in beautiful Southwest London. I signed a ten-year lease and invested £40,000 pounds in the business (most of which was spent on renovating the derelict space), and I named it 'Little & Large' after my Great Dane and French bulldog. It truly was a dream come true.

But not even two years in, I was clear that this investment, this beautiful dream was actually a big mistake.

In this episode (Joy First Decisions #3 and #4) I tell the whole story: the VAT I never understood, the freedom I lost, the guilt of realizing I'd built my own cage, and the decision I dreaded most which turned out to be the joy first decision in disguise. It's the one that led to Whyfinding®, to the work I actually love, to the next business which grew to six figures in eight months.

If you've ever hung onto something too long because quitting felt like failure, this one's for you.

In this episode:

• How to tell whether a decision is rooted in joy or fear

• Why joy doesn't always look shiny (and often asks for discomfort first)

• What closing the shop made possible that I never could never have foreseen

Go deeper on Substack: joyfirstworld.substack.com

If this resonated, follow the show and leave a review - thank you! See you next time for Joy First Decision #5

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